Posted on: Tuesday, June 3, 2003

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Few at the University of Hawai'i have earned the right to bow out on their own time as has Rainbow Wahine basketball coach Vince Goo.

In 19 years at the school — 16 as head coach — Goo became not only UH's winningest basketball coach on any level but the owner of an enviable graduation rate.

Even more impressive than the 326-146 entry in the record book have been the walls of his office, where framed pictures of the program's graduates — every player who completed her eligibility at UH from 1988 through 2002 — attest to years of well-rounded success.

Few coaches anywhere, not just in Manoa, have done as much in their tenure or with as much class.

So, if he chooses to pick August, when he says his current contract expires, as the time to ride off into the sunset on a golf cart, there are few who can begrudge him the opportunity. And even fewer who will not be happy for Goo after his 30 years in the state's employ.

But at just 56 — undoubtedly, it is his bouts with the officials and NCAA selection committees over the years that may make him appear older — Goo has several good seasons, plenty of his trademark one-liners and some memorable sideline rants left in him.

Certainly there would be no lack of challenges to keep him busy, not when a considerable rebuilding project awaits the Rainbow Wahine next season with seven freshmen and just one senior on the roster. Then, too, there is the ongoing matter of trying to break up Louisiana Tech's dominance of the Western Athletic Conference.

The hope is that Goo will stay and see most if not all of those tasks through. The wish here is that Goo, with some time to catch his breath away from the job, will take this month and reconsider the thoughts of retirement that occupied him at the most recent season's end and return with renewed vigor and commitment.

Many are pulling for it. Even athletic director Herman Frazier suggested Goo stay another year if for no other reason than to take one last lap around the conference. Word is that some of the parents who most recently committed their daughters to Goo's care and coaching have also asked him to reconsider. For another year, at least.

Frankly, the middle of the summer would be about the worst possible time for UH to go in search of another head coach. The best it might be able to hope for at such a late date would be an interim replacement — hardly the most ideal of scenarios.

But, then, when it comes to replacing Vince Goo and all that he has meant, there never will be a good time.

Reach Ferd Lewis at 535-8044 or e-mail him at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.